The Never Ending Pre-Trip Report Nov. 11 and New Year's '12!!! - TR LINK! 1/15 Pg33

[IheartDDuck]

Oh no! What a crappy thing to happen right before you leave on your trip! Hopefully the smell comes out. You dont wanna come home to that smell after the windows have been closed for a week

I know, right? I've had the windows open every day since, and I'm truly hoping that the smell is gone by the time I get back.

 

[Tink2Day]

I feel your pain. We live on a farm by a game refuge so we have lots of critters visiting us.
Skunking not so bad lately but one summer it was almost every night. Between that and the raccoons it was a nightmare (although you have to sleep to have nightmares and with the noise and smell who could sleep)

I hope you re-wash any clothes you're taking to WDW even those you washed previously and had ready to go. We went on a trip shortly after a mild skunking (out in one of the fields away from the house), the smell was gone, but I had a clean hoodie I had left in the vehicle and then just stuck in a small suitcase. Everything in that suitcase nearly knocked us out and the rest of our clothes seemed to have an odor. Maybe it was just my imagination but still you don't want people avoiding you in 'The World'. Or maybe you do, it would make for short lines

 

[IheartDDuck]

I feel your pain. We live on a farm by a game refuge so we have lots of critters visiting us.
Skunking not so bad lately but one summer it was almost every night. Between that and the raccoons it was a nightmare (although you have to sleep to have nightmares and with the noise and smell who could sleep)

I hope you re-wash any clothes you're taking to WDW even those you washed previously and had ready to go. We went on a trip shortly after a mild skunking (out in one of the fields away from the house), the smell was gone, but I had a clean hoodie I had left in the vehicle and then just stuck in a small suitcase. Everything in that suitcase nearly knocked us out and the rest of our clothes seemed to have an odor. Maybe it was just my imagination but still you don't want people avoiding you in 'The World'. Or maybe you do, it would make for short lines

Oh, I did a whole lot of laundry already. Fortunately, the majority of the clothes that I was planning on taking to WDW were already in a suitcase, so I think they're in good shape. But you know, if I stink and it keeps people away from me, I think that might be good....

 

[IheartDDuck]

So we're leaving in four days! Everyone can do a little banana dance with me.

I just got some of the pictures from our Segway tour of Chicago, so I wanted to share those with everyone. There were seven of us girls together and we all drove together in one of our friends minivan's. It helped us save on parking for sure. If you've ever visited Chicago, you understand that our parking rates are INSANE!!!

Our first order of business was to fill out our paperwork. Here is a very exciting shot of us doing just that.

Before long it was time for us to mount our Segways for training. Let me tell you, I was not nervous at first, but when our friend Susie got on, we all got nervous. She was a bit scared and kind of laughed maniacally because she couldn't control herself.

Then I got on.

Isn't my helmet stylin'? I wear it everywhere now, in case anyone would like to know.

You ever felt like you were going to just fall over on your face, or fall backwards onto your back? Yup, that's what learning how to ride a Segway feels like. I felt like I was three years old learning how to ride my bike again! No joke. It got easier though.

Farrell was all ready to go.

And this is Rachel.

Rachel did not have such a good time. Segways are controlled with minor movements, like leaning on your toes to go forward and your heels to go backwards. You also can't be tense, otherwise it just doesn't work out.

Well, at the end of our trip, we had to go down a long, fairly steep graded walkway. And Rachel goes....


and goes.....


and goes.....

until she has split completely from the group and off to the right of us all, because she couldn't get it to slow down. She was not a happy camper. It was like a runaway car!

Here we are all together in front of Buckingham Fountain.

My beautiful city.

We all had so much fun! We paid about $40 a person. It was so worth it. Well, everyone but Rachel loved it. I don't think she'll be going again anytime soon.

Everyone thought we were tourists just because we were doing the Segway tour, which cracked me up. Um, been living in this area for my entire life, definitely not a tourist people! Don't hate on my Segway!

Then, the night ended on epic proportions. Why do you ask? Well, we are driving out of the city at the end of our trip, on Canal Street, getting ready to get on the expressway. And what do we see on Canal Street?

Um, take a really good look at what she's doing.....

And once more for emphasis.....

Yup. Lived in the Chicago area for 30 years now. And this is my first "woman peeing in the street" experience.

Epic.

And I'm out.

 

[TinksThree]

I go to New Orleans all of the time and have yet to see anyone peeing on the street (not that it doesn't happen, just haven't seen it)...seen other things going on in the streets though... That is hilarious!!! I have a friend who lived in Chicago for a few years. She loved being a tourist there. Of course she comes from a small southern town so there was lots for her to see!! I really would like to see Chicago some day! Wrigley Field tops my list!

 

[IheartDDuck]

I go to New Orleans all of the time and have yet to see anyone peeing on the street (not that it doesn't happen, just haven't seen it)...seen other things going on in the streets though... That is hilarious!!! I have a friend who lived in Chicago for a few years. She loved being a tourist there. Of course she comes from a small southern town so there was lots for her to see!! I really would like to see Chicago some day! Wrigley Field tops my list!

You should definitely come and visit one day! It's a great place. I grew up going to Wrigley on a regular basis. Wouldn't trade that for anything.

This was by far the weirdest thing I've seen. And I've been to Vegas!!!! Everyone in the car was just like "wait, what is she doing?!" "Is she PEEING?!?!?"

 

[archdandy]

Uhhhh...hilarious or slightly disturbing? I'm going to go with hilarious.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Uhhhh...hilarious or slightly disturbing? I'm going to go with hilarious.

I would have to agree. We spent the entire ride back home cracking up!

 

[teekathepony]

Wow... I was all excited and had a great reply in mind but the urinating woman drove it all out...

4 days!!!!!! So exciting!!!!

That segway tour looks fun!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Wow...4 days!!!! Woohoo!!!!

Love the Segway reviews - sounds like you all had a great time apart from poor Rachel!

Great city photos and oh my on seeing that woman pee on the street

I found out during our trip that the Segway experience at Innoventions was no longer taking place so I never got to go on one of these beauties. As I have no sense of balance though think I would end up the same way as Rachel

 

[ZehnJahren]

So we're leaving in four days! Everyone can do a little banana dance with me.

I just got some of the pictures from our Segway tour of Chicago, so I wanted to share those with everyone. There were seven of us girls together and we all drove together in one of our friends minivan's. It helped us save on parking for sure. If you've ever visited Chicago, you understand that our parking rates are INSANE!!!

Yes, absolutely! I'm glad I live near a station if I want to go anywhere, but then you have to contest with the train people. I think we checked when my mom was up last, and to just PARK at the Field Museum was $20!

Smart to drive together for sure; more fun too. How long does it take for you to get all the way downtown?

Then I got on.

Isn't my helmet stylin'? I wear it everywhere now, in case anyone would like to know.

Nice Princess Dooney peeking out there!

Then, the night ended on epic proportions. Why do you ask? Well, we are driving out of the city at the end of our trip, on Canal Street, getting ready to get on the expressway. And what do we see on Canal Street?

Yup. Lived in the Chicago area for 30 years now. And this is my first "woman peeing in the street" experience.

Epic.

And I'm out.

I like the repetition of the picture as a good, solid "WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE" indicator. But RIGHT THERE in the middle of the road? I know bathrooms are scarce in the Chi, but come on!

How much do you think that lady had to drink that day? Yowza!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Wow... I was all excited and had a great reply in mind but the urinating woman drove it all out...

4 days!!!!!! So exciting!!!!

That segway tour looks fun!

Ha ha, yeah, that would derail my thought process too! The Segway tour was lots of fun.

Wow...4 days!!!! Woohoo!!!!

Love the Segway reviews - sounds like you all had a great time apart from poor Rachel!

Great city photos and oh my on seeing that woman pee on the street

I found out during our trip that the Segway experience at Innoventions was no longer taking place so I never got to go on one of these beauties. As I have no sense of balance though think I would end up the same way as Rachel

Rachel said that she was never going to do that again.

I didn't know the Segway experience wasn't there anymore! I was very nervous and I have good balance. It just takes a bit of practice though.

Yes, absolutely! I'm glad I live near a station if I want to go anywhere, but then you have to contest with the train people. I think we checked when my mom was up last, and to just PARK at the Field Museum was $20!

Smart to drive together for sure; more fun too. How long does it take for you to get all the way downtown?

Nice Princess Dooney peeking out there!

I like the repetition of the picture as a good, solid "WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE" indicator. But RIGHT THERE in the middle of the road? I know bathrooms are scarce in the Chi, but come on!

How much do you think that lady had to drink that day? Yowza!

It takes me about 45 minutes if there is no traffic at all. Which you know is never the case in Chicago.

Glad you noticed the Princess Dooney. I was waiting to see who would catch that.

I wanted dramatic effect around the peeing situation. We were asking ourselfs the same thing. How much had she drank!? And you know what...it was only 8:30pm!

 

[TinksThree]

3 days!!! How exciting!! I keep telling myself "this time next year!" I hope you gals have a most wonderful time!!!!!!!

 

[PlutosRHM55]

I got to this update a bit late so...

TWO DAYS AWAY! I prefer the party people, just sayin'

Oh, I LOVE riding on Segways. I mean,usually when I do stuff like that I'm a nervous wreck, but it is just so much fun and you really do feel like you're going to fall off, but once to get the hang of it, it's so easy. Sorry to hear your friend didn't like it though, maybe some more practice would've done her some good

Okay... it took me awhile to figure out what the heck that lady was doing. At first I thought she was stopping traffic (though I'm sure she was) Then, I noticed. I must say... she is quite gutsy for let's say taking a bathroom break on the street I just hope I never see someone re-perform something like that anytime soon. O_O

 

[IheartDDuck]

3 days!!! How exciting!! I keep telling myself "this time next year!" I hope you gals have a most wonderful time!!!!!!!

I know! I can't wait to get out of here. Keep telling yourself that and you'll make it to next year.

I got to this update a bit late so...

TWO DAYS AWAY! I prefer the party people, just sayin'

Oh, I LOVE riding on Segways. I mean,usually when I do stuff like that I'm a nervous wreck, but it is just so much fun and you really do feel like you're going to fall off, but once to get the hang of it, it's so easy. Sorry to hear your friend didn't like it though, maybe some more practice would've done her some good

Okay... it took me awhile to figure out what the heck that lady was doing. At first I thought she was stopping traffic (though I'm sure she was) Then, I noticed. I must say... she is quite gutsy for let's say taking a bathroom break on the street I just hope I never see someone re-perform something like that anytime soon. O_O

Well then in your honor.....

Glad someone else knows what I'm talking about with feeling like you're going to fall off the Segway. You're right though, once you get the hang of it they are so much fun.

Believe me when I say, I hope I never seen someone doing that ever again....

 

[IheartDDuck]

The final countdown is approaching! I got two more days. (The party guys are for Timmy).

I hate that my ticker says 3 days, because it's technically two. But changing it at this point is stupid.

I have two busy days ahead of me, so it will hopefully go by quickly. I went to the salon after work today and got my manicure and pedicure. Gotta love that. It's a fun army green color. Something different. I guarantee, I'll get a pedicure picture on vacation.

Farrell is off of work tomorrow and Friday, because her dad and brother are coming into town for a brief visit. They are in the process of moving her dad from Massachusetts to California, so they figured they'd stop on their drive through. Lucky girl being off of work already.

Packed all of my clothes. Fortunately, none of them retain a skunk smell. Phew, that would have sucked.

Tomorrow after work I need to check everything else off of my final checklist to make sure everything is accounted for.

Friday morning it's off to work early, with a stop at the bank on the way in (or out depending on if I don't get out of the house early enough. ).

I think that's all I have to report right now....my life is so exciting, isn't it?

I'll try to post a farewell from work on Friday. Then it's off we go! So excited, you have no idea. Just cross your fingers that the weather clears up, because right now the forecast isn't the greatest, and I don't want a lot of rain for Farrell's first visit.

 

[teekathepony]

Two days! Two days!



I am very excited for you guys, I know you'll have a blast. We had more rain last week than I ever remember having, but it was all in the evenings and didn't affect us at all really. However on Saturday past, it was a little cooler, the humidity was way down and it was the most beautiful day I've ever had in Florida! I will send some pixie dust for you guys for great weather!

 

[TanzUnited99]

2 DAYS!!!!

I'm soo excited and can't wait to hear how Farrell reacts to everything during the trip.

Yay on your clothes not retaining a skunk smell

Your pedicure sounds interesting...looking forward to seeing pics

 

[IheartDDuck]

Two days! Two days!



I am very excited for you guys, I know you'll have a blast. We had more rain last week than I ever remember having, but it was all in the evenings and didn't affect us at all really. However on Saturday past, it was a little cooler, the humidity was way down and it was the most beautiful day I've ever had in Florida! I will send some pixie dust for you guys for great weather!

Yay!

I'm not extremely worried about the weather, but I just don't want it to rain a lot. We'll just have to wait and see what happens.

2 DAYS!!!!

I'm soo excited and can't wait to hear how Farrell reacts to everything during the trip.

Yay on your clothes not retaining a skunk smell

Your pedicure sounds interesting...looking forward to seeing pics

I'm most excited about Farrell's reaction too! It's making me giddy with anticipation. I just want her to love everything....

At least I know I won't smell like a skunk!

It's a pretty nice color. Some might think it's a little weird to do army green, but I really like it...

 

[IheartDDuck]

Join me in my happy dance! I'm leaving in 6.5 hours!!!

The flight leaves at 6:45pm tonight. I'm at work on my lunch break right now, just waiting for this day to end honestly.

I got my bags packed.

I got my carry on checked.

I got all my papers.

I gotta go!!!!!!!!!!

See you all on the other side when I return! Thanks for joining me on this PTR and I'll make sure to post a link to my new TR. I hope you all decide to join me there as well.